Dearborn Public Library

This policy is intended to supplement Dearborn Public Library’s current general Collection Development Policy.
eResources are digital in nature. The formats may consist of but are not limited to databases, links, eBooks, eBook delivery platforms, and audio/video/data file streaming or download services.

Selection Strategy and Criteria

Use of materials, in all formats, is the most powerful influence on the Library’s collection. Other factors include reference and entertainment value, functionality, resource type, availability of print equivalent, and subscription cost. Selection and de-selection are both influenced by current and historic usage. The number of holds placed and patron requests are closely monitored and directly influence the purchase of additional copies of high demand titles and subscriptions to digital resources.

In addition to these considerations, the library attempts to meet the community’s present and future needs as it adds titles, evaluates digital resources, considers emerging formats, and seeks to enrich the collection and maintain its overall balance.

No single criterion is applicable to all selection decisions. Some resources may be judged primarily for their artistic merit, scholarship, or value to humanity; others are chosen to satisfy the informational, recreational or educational interests of the community. Selection priority is given to resources that appeal to the largest audience of library patrons.

Librarians apply their judgment and experience in selecting and de-selecting according to the criteria listed below. Materials are judged as a whole rather than on isolated portions. When considering individual titles or other eResources in the selection process, librarians consult historic circulation data, along with reviews and other evaluative sources.

Dearborn Public Library selection criteria:

• Relevance to interests and needs of the community
• Local significance of the author or subject
• Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths and weaknesses
• Current or historical significance of the author or subject
• Reputation and/or significance of the author/artist and publisher/producer
• Relevance to the experiences and contributions of diverse populations
• Price, availability in relation to Library materials budget
• Patron demand, reasonable belief of patron demand, ability to assist library staff in the performance of their duties
• Cross-platform resources that are compatible with a majority of popular operating systems and browsers, including mobile devices
• Resources that are easily deployable via the library’s existing information technology network and website
• Resources provide content that may not otherwise be obtained through less costly or more efficient means

Availability:

• Dearborn Public Library will facilitate access via its website to all resources furnished freely by the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) to State of Michigan residents. The library may further facilitate access via its website to electronic services offered by The Library Network (TLN) and The Midwest Consortium for Library Services (MCLS).
• Resources may be made available for 24/7 remote access to the library’s user base
• Certain items are offered through companies that are part of a consortium and Dearborn Public Library has limited control over selection and de-selection
• Dearborn Public Library strives to ensure that resources are in compliance with applicable accessibility regulations, guidelines and criteria

Retention:

An essential consideration in retaining electronic resources is patron use. A subscription resource that does not show significant use over a time period of a year or more through statistics made available from the vendor or from our web server could be replaced or removed. A resource’s utility to the library staff in the performance of their duties will also be a consideration.

Request for Reconsideration:

Requests for reconsideration of resources included within Dearborn Public Library’s website may be submitted by using the Request for Reconsideration Form. All requests for reconsideration must contain:

• Initiator’s name and address
• Initiator’s library card number
• Indication if representing yourself or an organization and organization represented
• The specific resource being questioned
• Specific reason(s)/concern(s) for request
• Requested remedy
• Acknowledgment that patrons have read Dearborn Public Library’s eResources Collection Development Policy

Within 30 days of receipt of a request for reconsideration, library administration will reply in writing.

Disclaimers:

Dearborn Public Library does not knowingly include:

• Websites that are strictly commercial and have no informational content
• Subscription/commercial websites that provide free content with the sole purpose of enticing the user to purchase a subscription
• Websites or material that clearly violate U.S. copyright or other federal and state laws
• Dearborn Public Library reserves the right to omit any material or digital resource from its collections
• Inclusion of a resource does not constitute endorsement of a particular point of view

Dearborn Library Commission
April 12, 2023